Vehicle lighting apparatus with multizone proximity control

Abstract

A vehicle lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system comprises a group of light sources having a plurality of portions. Each of the portions has a proximity sensor configured to communicate a signal to control a portion of the plurality of portions. A controller is in communication with the light sources and the proximity sensors. The controller is operable to selectively activate a first portion of the grouping of light sources in response to a first proximity detection, and activate the plurality of portions in response to a second proximity detection.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 257,309, filed Apr. 21, 2014, and entitled “VEHICLE READING LAMP WITH LOW INTENSITY LIGHT SETTING,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle lighting, and more particularly to directional interior vehicle lighting.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Currently, some lighting devices require a user to interact with an outer lens in order to activate and deactivate the lighting devices. One downside to such a design is that a vehicle occupant typically has to rely on tactile sensations to locate the outer lens when dark conditions are present. As a result, some vehicle occupants may become distracted with having to feel for the position of the outer lens when desiring to activate the lighting devices. Therefore, there is a need for a lighting device that...

Images